history white death by tim vickery read by Richard Mitchell II
white death by tim vickery read by Richard Mitchell II
chapter
the woman in front of the prison the prison was a big dirty building in the biggest town of a hot country the woman was very hot and she did not like the noise from all the cars in the road she was an English woman and she did not like hot countries or a lot of noise she was tall about fifty years old with blue eyes and a long face her face was red and she looked tired and angry she knocked at the door of the prison for a long time nothing happened then a little window opened in the door and a man looked out at her yes what do you want I want to see my daughter it's very important name Anna Harland is that your name or your daughter's name it's my name my daughter's name is sarah harland you can't visit her today come back on Wednesday no I came from England to see her today it's very important she's going to court tomorrow please take me to her now wait a minute the little wind closed but the door did not open the woman waited in front of the door for a ☺long time a lot of people in the road looked at her one or two young men laughed but she did not move she stood there in the hot road in front of the prison door and waited after minutes the door opened come with me the man said the woman went in with him it was dark in the prison and at first she could not see very well she walked for a long time past hundreds of doors then the man opened one of them in here he said you can have ten minutes Anna Harland walked into the room and the man went in after her he closed the door behind him there was a table in the room and two chairs on one of the chairs sat her daughter Sarah she was a tall girl about nineteen years old with big blue eyes mother she said I'm very happy to see you and she got up and began to run across the room to her mother Sarah Anna said and put out her arms but the man moved quickly and stood between them no he said to Anna I'm sorry I know you're her mother you can't talk but that's all please sit down at the table I am here to watch you the mother and daughter sat down at the table Anna's hands were near Sarah's on the table she looked carefully at her daughter Sarah's dress and face were dirty she's tired and unhappy and I thought Sarah what happened she said we have minutes to talk no more tell me please quickly I want to help you Sarah looked at her mother Oh mother I'm happy you're here I wanted you to come mother I I didn't do it it isn't true please believe me of course I believe you Sarah but tell me about it what happened quickly begin at the beginning yes but I don't know when did it begin I don't know I don't understand it why did the lise arrest you when did they bring you to this prison last week I think yes last week at the airport when we arrived the police stopped us and looked in our bags then Sara looked down at the table she's crying Anna thought she's very unhappy what happened then Sara her mother asked they they said there were drugs in my bag then they took me into a room and told me to take my dress off they looked for more drugs but they found nothing then then they brought me here I see where were the drugs then where did they find them oh they didn't tell you Sara stopped crying she looked up and there was a smile on her face but it was not a happy smile the drugs were in a tube of toothpaste a toothpaste tube with drugs in it heroin not toothpaste and you didn't know about it no mother of course not do you think I clean my teeth with heroin anna harland smiled it was difficult to smile because she was afraid but she smiled because she wanted to help her daughter I know you don't clean your teeth with heroin you have very good teeth Sarah but what about Steven did he know about the heroin did he put it in the toothpaste tube Steven no why do you ask about Steven mother well is he in prison too you said us and our bags did the police arrest him too Oh No Sarah's face was unhappy no I wasn't with Steven mother you see Steven and I well we aren't friends now I left him about two months ago and then I met Hassan Hassan yes I was with Hassan at the airport Steven was on the plane too I don't know why but he wasn't with me it's Hassan he was with me Hassan important to me now not Stephen Anna looked at her daughter I see and did the police arrest this Hasan - is he in prison yes he is they arrested him but I can't see him I asked them I wanted to see him but they said no mother I'm sure Hasan didn't know about the heroin he's a good man he didn't know I'm sure then why was the heroin in your bag Sarah I don't know mother I don't know the man looked at the clock in the room I'm sorry mrs. Harland he said but that's ten minutes it's time to go Anna Harland stood up slowly all right she said but don't be afraid Sarah I'm coming to the court tomorrow yes mother Sarah said thank you the police are bringing Hassan to court tomorrow - I think you can see him there he's a good man mother and I'm sure he didn't know about the drugs perhaps Anna said she walked slowly to the door and then stood by the door and looked at her daughter again Sara you are telling me the truth aren't you Sara began to cry again Yes Mother of course I am I always tell you the truth you know that Anna smiled yes Sara she said quietly yes I believe you she went through the door and the man went out after her Sara sat quietly at the table in the room and looked at her hands yes she thought I told you the truth mother I always tell you the truth but I didn't tell you everything she put her head in her hands
chapter
Anna Harland left the prison and went to talk to the police she waited a long time in a small office but after an hour a policeman came into the room he was a big man about years old with brown eyes and a nice smile he moved very slowly and quietly good afternoon mrs. Harland he said my name is detective Inspector Aziz I arrested your daughter three days ago I am very sorry for you this is a very unhappy thing for a mother it's a very unhappy thing for my daughter inspector Anna said angrily because she didn't do it she's innocent you know she knows nothing about those drugs Detective Inspector Aziz looked at her carefully for a minute he did not know many English women she has an interesting face he thought very blue eyes and a long nose she is not afraid of me and she is not crying perhaps she wants to know the truth perhaps she can help me too well mrs. Harland he said slowly it's difficult for me is your daughter telling the truth is she innocent because the drugs were in her bag you know I know Anna said but she was with a young man Hasan she doesn't know him very well I think tell me about him please I want to know inspector aziz smiled alright he said but first tell me about your daughter why was she on that plane why did she come to this country tell me Anna Harland looked at him he's a nice man she thought he listens to people perhaps he wants to help perhaps he can understand Sarah do you have daughters she asked yes the inspector answered too then you can understand Anna said Sarah is she finished school last year and she worked for six months in a hospital to get some money then she and her boyfriend Steven visited a lot of countries they went to Greece Turkey India Australia and now they're here they're young and they want to see new countries and new towns and new people that's all I see the inspector said but sometimes young people do things bad things because they are in a different country and they need money not Sarah Anna said and not heroin Sarah worked in a hospital and she knows about heroin she knows it can kill people I'm a doctor and she wants to be a doctor too I see the inspector said again he looked at her and thought but he said nothing now Anna said tell me about this young man Hasan all right the inspector said he took some papers from the table and began to read to her but we don't know very much about him he's a rich boy from a good family his father has two or three shops I think and the police in his town know him too last year his father gave him a new car a very fast car and listened to this one day he hit a police car and the police car went into the river what a story his father bought a new car for the police his father has a lot of money the inspector smiled but Anna looked unhappy oh dear she said that's not very good no he said it isn't good but this story about the heroine is worse much worse I don't like this story
Chapter
three next morning Anna Harland went to the court she was first there she sat in the courtroom and waited a lot of people came in and she saw a man and his wife perhaps they're Hassan's father and mother Anna thought but she did not want to talk to them the lawyers came in next with a lot of papers they sat at a table in front of her and talked quietly those two lawyers Anna thought they're old friends but one of them wants my daughter to die and one wants her to be free after the lawyers the jury came in people men and women they sat down and watched the lawyers they looked at Anna and then talked quietly about her these people don't look very important she thought but they are the most important people here they're going to say she did it or she didn't do it and then Sarah comes home to me or she dies she watch their faces carefully then some policemen came in inspector aziz saw anna and smiled at her but anna did not talk to him because sara came in at the same time she looked afraid and her face was very white she looked across the courtroom saw her mother and gave her an unhappy smile there were two policemen behind Sarah but Anna did not look at them she looked at the tall dark young man next to Sarah Hasan he's about years old Anna thought he's very tall but he has a nice face and very beautiful dark eyes Sarah likes him and I can understand that but he looks very unhappy too and afraid his hands are moving all the time Hasan looked at Sarah and smiled she smiled back at him Anna wanted to talk to Sarah but just then a policeman said loudly all stand please everybody stood up and the John came into the courtroom he went to his chair and sat down the police lawyer began these two young people came into our country last week he said the young man lives in this country and the young woman is English at the airport the police looked in their bags and they found three tubes of toothpaste these tubes of toothpaste he had the three tubes in his hand and he looked at them everybody could see them but are they tubes of toothpaste he asked no men and women of the jury they are not Oh No there is no toothpaste in these tubes there is heroin in them yes heroin a bad dirty drug perhaps the worst drug people die from this drug the white death they call it the lawyer stopped and looked at the jury he waited for a minute or two the courtroom was very quiet then he began again but why you asked me why did these two young people have this heroin in their bags I can't tell you because heroin is one of the most expensive drugs to they can sell these tubes of heroin in our country for perhaps , pounds , pounds easy money and men and women of the jury many people in our country young people school children to take this drug at first it's exciting and they feel happy but then they need more and more heroin and they need more money to buy the drug they leave their homes and families they take more heroin and more they can't stop soon the drug begins to kill them and in the end they die the white death it's not quick death and it's not an easy death yes men and women of the jury many young people and children your children and my children remember died because of this drug the lawyer stopped again the jury watched him and waited he's very good Anna thought very very good he's telling the jury an exciting story and they liked him but it isn't good for Sarah the lawyer walked across the courtroom and stood in front of the jury but my friends he said to the jury we have a law in this country and the law is not difficult to understand when people bring heroin into this country they bring death too we need to stop these people and how can we do that the answer is easy the law for these people is death the lawyer walked back to his table now please look at these two young people here in this court he said to the jury they brought heroin into this country the airport police are going to tell you about it please listen carefully it's not a long story and remember the law is death the police lawyer sat down and an airport policeman went to the front of the courtroom Anna felt ill she looked at Sara Sara was white-faced and very afraid Anna closed her eyes Sara she thought Oh Sara the police lawyer stood up again please tell the court about Sara Holland and her son he said to the airport policeman yes sir said the policeman I found two tubes of toothpaste in the girl's bag and one tube in the young man's bag all three tubes had heroin in them thank you the police lawyer sat down and mr. Ching Sara's and Hassan's lawyer stood up what did Sara Holland say when you found the heroin he asked nothing sir she began to cry I see was she afraid the policeman thought for a minute I don't know sir but she was yes and she said nothing are you sure the policeman thought again well yes sir I think perhaps she said this isn't my toothpaste this is all wrong I see and what about the young man Hasan What did he say well sir he was very angry he said it's not heroin that's not true you put it there I see thank you now tell me why did you look in these two young people's bags you don't usually look in everyone's bags there isn't time the policeman thought again well no sir we don't I I'm afraid I can't tell you sir what did you say mr. Cheng asked very angrily of course you can tell me this is a court of law he looked at the judge this is a very important question we need an answer the judge looked at the airport policeman I am sorry he said please answer the question the court needs to know the answer yes sir well you see there was a telephone call someone telephoned me before the plane arrived the telephone caller said there's some heroin on the plane a young man and a young woman are carrying it I see mr. Chen said he smiled that's very interesting and who made this telephone call I don't know the policeman said it was a man and he talked in English I don't know his name suddenly Anna heard a noise she looked behind her at the door of the courtroom a tall young man came into the back of the room Anna knew him at once it was Stephen Sarah's old boyfriend a policeman took him to a chair near Anna he saw Anna and for a second he looked afraid but then he smiled and sat down next to her mrs. Harland he said quietly it's good to see you when did you arrive yesterday she said why are you late I couldn't find the court he answered he looked very unhappy tell me how to help he said I want to help Sara but what can I do I was on the plane too but I couldn't help her I don't want her to die stay with me young man Anna said quietly we can help her I'm sure we can later that morning Sara went to the front of the courtroom her face was very white and her eyes were red with crying her lawyer mr. Cheng began to ask her questions now Miss harland why did you come to this country he asked quietly and smiled at her because I like going to different countries I want to meet new people and why were you with this young man because Sara stopped and looked down at her feet nobody could see her face she began again very quietly but nobody could hear her I'm sorry we can't hear you can you say that again please Sara looked up she looked quickly at her mother and then at her son because I love him Anna felt old and tired she looked the tall young man with the beautiful dark eyes it was his heroine she thought I'm sure it was he buys and sells heroine and he put it in my daughter's bag and now she says she loves him Steven sat next to her he did not move and he watched Sara all the time but she did not look at him mr. Cheng waited a minute and then he questioned Sara again did you know about the heroin in those tubes of toothpaste he asked no Sara said quickly of course I didn't and what about Hassan did he know about the heroin please think about your answer no I'm sure he didn't know it wasn't our heroine Sara's blue eyes were angry we didn't put the heroin in the toothpaste tubes we are innocent thank you Miss Harland mr. Chang said quietly and sat down the police lawyer stood up miss Harland how much money did you have in your bag um about fifty pounds I think that's not very much this is an expensive country you know how much can you buy with your fifty pounds sir did not have an answer um I don't know she began I usually live very cheaply did you need more money the lawyers questions came quickly now of course you needed more money you wanted to sell that heroin you wanted to be rich is that right no no that's not true the lawyer said nothing for a minute he looked at the jury and smiled then he said do you think toothpaste is very expensive in this country miss Holland uh no I don't think oh I don't know well I can tell you it isn't toothpaste is cheap here so why did you bring three tubes of toothpaste with you how often do you clean your teeth miss Holland six times a day or seven or eight times a day perhaps Sarah looked very unhappy no I don't know Hassan yes the lawyer said quickly Hassan are you going to say Hassan gave it to me you love this young man but you don't want to die nobody wants to die and now you're going to say it was Hassan's toothpaste is that your answer miss Holland no Sarah said angrily of course not it was i toothpaste but thank you miss Harlan the police lawyer sat down I have no more questions
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four at one o'clock the judge left the court for an hour Anna Harlan talked to Sara for ten minutes Sara cried at first I don't like that police lawyer she said those questions were very difficult I couldn't answer them it doesn't matter her mother said your lawyer mr. Cheng is very good and Steven is here too now we're all going to help you Sara was angry don't talk to me about Steven she said I don't like him I don't want to see him here but Sara he was your boyfriend for two years he wants to help you Sara began to cry again perhaps he does want to help me I don't know but he's different now mother you don't understand his eyes are different there I don't know and he can't sit quietly and talk to people now his body is moving all the time he came to see me in our hotel the night before we came to this country and I didn't like him mother why is he here he doesn't lie me now and I don't love him Anna listened carefully to her daughter and then she went to see mr. Cheng and inspector aziz Steven went with her who made that phone call to the police at the airport she asked we need to know that yes mr. Cheng said that's very important can the police tell us perhaps the inspector said but it's very difficult it was not a long telephone call and the man didn't give his name perhaps he was a policeman and he knew about the heroine perhaps mr. Cheng said but then perhaps he put the heroine there and he wanted the police to find it perhaps someone doesn't like your daughter mrs. Harland I don't know Anna said slowly but perhaps but then the judge came back into the courtroom and everybody stopped talking the judge then called Hassan Hassan stood up and went to the front of the courtroom he's a rich boy and a thought that shirt and those shoes are very expensive hassan stood there tall and very quiet he waited for the questions he did not look of rade but when mr. Chang looked at his papers and asked the first question Hassan closed his eyes did you know about the heroin in those tubes of toothpaste no sir did Sarah know no sir who bought the toothpaste Hassan closed his eyes again for two or three seconds then he answered I did sir you did you're sure of that yes sir I'm sure I clean my teeth a lot you see Hassan's smiled for a moment well he does have very white teeth Anna thought Sarah Hassan began then he stopped yes again Hassan closed his eyes and waited for a second then he looked at the jury and said very loudly Sarah did not buy the toothpaste I bought it I bought all three tubes of toothpaste it was my toothpaste analyst up in her chair and looked carefully at a son that's interesting she thought perhaps he does love Sarah I see mr. Cheng said and when did you first meet sarah harland about two months ago I was in Australia we were in the same hotel she had a difficult time with her boyfriend and I helped her Anna looked at Stephen he was very angry and he hit the chair in front of him with his hand I see mr. Cheng said again then he asked his next question do you usually carry a lot of money how much money did you have at the airport about pounds I think that's okay when I need more money I get some work for a week or two we don't need much money and do you sometimes take heroin no sir never thank you stay there please mr. Cheng sat down and the police lawyer stood up he smiled at Hassan but it was not a nice smile now Hassan you bought the toothpaste but it was in miss Holland's bag why why did she carry it for you or do you always ask your women to carry things for you he smiled Hasan said nothing the lawyer began again you had pounds you say but , pounds is better than pounds I think what do you think of course it is but I don't sell heroin it's wrong to sell heroin the lawyer moved his papers on the table he looked at the jury so you are a very good young man with very clean teeth but no money you met a young English girl she was unhappy with her boyfriend so you helped her and took her away with you is that right oh dear it's not a very good story you know I don't believe it and I don't think the jury believes it young man he stopped for a minute then he looked at Hassan and said loudly you don't love sarah harland and she doesn't love you you went with her because she could help you and she went with you because she wanted the money she carried the heroin for you to sell that's right isn't it you put the heroin in the toothpaste tubes and she knew about it is that the true story young man I think it is No i hasan began angrily but the lawyer did not listen he sat down I have no more questions he said to the judge
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the judge looked at his papers and then at the jury it is now four o'clock in the afternoon he said we can begin again in the morning please be here at ten o'clock the judge stood up and left the courtroom the jury left to and the police took Sara and Hassan back to the prison Anna looked at Stephen well young man she said what can we do now we have sixteen hours before tomorrow morning I don't know Stephen said he looked at her for a minute then he looked away over her head at the front of the court I'm sure Hassan knew about the heroin he said he put it in her bag I'm sure he did Sarah is innocent but he isn't mr. Cheng came and stood with them she's innocent Stephen said again but Hassan's going to die mr. Cheng looked at Stephen carefully perhaps he said slowly but did you listen to Hassan in court he said Sarah did not buy the toothpaste it was my toothpaste now why did he say that it was not an easy thing to say you know the jury going to think about it it doesn't matter Stephen said angrily because it wasn't toothpaste and he didn't buy it in a shop he made those tubes because he wanted to sell the heroin and he's going to die that's the law in this country Anna looked at Stephen and said nothing he's very angry she thought his face is red and he's talking very quickly does he want to kill her son and what's the matter with his eyes mr. Cheng watched Stephen - but who made that telephone call it's important and I want to know he said I'm going to ask the police now would you like to come with me mrs. Harland yes of course Anna said Stephen are you coming yes ah no no Stephen said I'm going to meet a man I think he can help us all right Anna said but when can I meet you I need to talk to you about Hassan can I come too or hotel tonight uh no not tonight Stephen said quickly his face was now white and he looked tired and ill his hands and body moved all the time come to my hotel tomorrow morning bye he walked quickly out of the courtroom Anna and mr. Cheng watched him inspector aziz was near the door and he watched even too
Chapter six
Anna and mr. Chang talked to the police but the police could tell them nothing more about the telephone call to the airport inspector aziz telephone two or three people and then he talked to Anna again when Anna left inspector aziz she was much happier then she went to the prison to see Sarah the man took her to Sarah's room Anna and Sarah sat at the table and the man stood and watched it was a bad day mother I'm sorry Sarah said slowly her eyes were not red now but she looked very tired her hands were near her mother's on the table it wasn't a very good day that's true Anna said but you have a very good lawyer you know the jury likes him but it doesn't help Sarah said there was heroin in the toothpaste tubes and the tubes were in my bag what can mr. Cheng do the heroin was in my bad mother the jury knows that Anna looked at her daughter carefully perhaps Hasaan put it there Sara she said you like him I know and he looks nice but mother I love him I said that in court you heard me and Hasan loves me too and he does not buy or sell heroin I Sara stop talking and put her hands on her stomach what's the matter Anna asked she looked at the man quickly she's ill get a doctor the man ran from the room and Anna put her arms round her daughter she waited and then Sarah sat up it's all right mother she said her face was very white but she looked a little better it happens sometimes I often feel ill and I don't like to eat much but it's not very bad I think I'm going to stay alive because of it she gave her mother a smile what what are you saying what are you talking about Anna cried my baby Sarah's face looked different now half smiling half afraid mother don't be angry please I'm going to have a baby it's a man's baby I we wanted to come to England and tell you about it there but now we can't I love him and he wants to be my husband mother mother please don't be angry Anna's face was white now for nearly a minute she could say nothing she wanted to cry but she didn't at last she said Oh Sarah what's going to happen to this baby Sarah looked at her hands nothing mother I asked mr. Cheng about that they can't kill me you see because I'm going to have a baby they can't kill a mother and her baby that's the law but that doesn't help her son Anna heard a noise and looked at the door listen Sarah she said quickly before the doctor comes I'm not angry and I do love you Sarah of course but listen I talked to inspector aziz again today i think he can help you and hassan too so don't be afraid please and the door opened and the man came in with a woman doctor anna stood up she took errors hand I'm going now Sarah but don't be afraid you're going to be alright I'm sure of it
Chapter seven
next morning at half past four Anna Harland stood in a quiet road in front of a hotel she waited and then she heard a car behind the hotel the car doors opened and closed she waited quietly and then looked down the road a man walked into the road and stood next to a shop he did not look at Anna but Anna looked at him and smiled then she walked into the hotel she went upstairs and knocked on the door of a bedroom a man answered who is it it's me Steven she said Anna Harland open the door please I want to talk to you the door opened and Steven looked out slowly Anna what are you doing here at this time it's Anna walked quickly into the room yes it's half past four Sarah is in court again at ten o'clock I need your help young man please get up but what can I do Anna looked at him you went to see a man last night what happened can he help Sarah Stephen answered slowly he did not look at Anna no I'm sorry he can't Anna was cold and angry I see she said well can you and I help her then tell me Steven what do you know about Hassan Hassan Steven said angrily well we met him in Australia and Sarah went away with him she doesn't understand him but I do he's a rich young man with a beautiful body he likes playing with girls but he doesn't love her and do you love her Steven Steven did not answer at once for two or three seconds Anna waited he doesn't know she thought he can't answer the question yes mrs. Harland of course I love her but he's not looking at me Anna thought he's looking out of the window he's not thinking about Sarah Steven Anna asked quietly did you go to see sarah and hassan in Australia the night before they came to this country Stephen looked up at her uh yes I went to their hotel he said I asked Sarah to leave Hassan and come back to me but how did you know that Sarah told me of course was her son there no he Steven stopped then he said why do you ask Anna Oh her handbag look at this she said what is it do you know he looked at it and then that Ana a tube of toothpaste why that's right a policeman gave it to me and he took it from a man you met that man last night Stephen you gave him ten tubes of toothpaste what was in those tubes of toothpaste Stephen Stephen said nothing he looked at the toothpaste and stood up but Ana was between him and the door she gave the toothpaste to him would you like to clean your teeth Stephen he began to move to the door but Ana took his arm you don't love Sarah do you Stephen you hate her because she left you you put three of these tubes in Sarah's bag and then you phoned the police you told them about the tubes in my daughter's bag you want Sarah to die no Stephen said no no not Sarah Hassan I put them in Hassan's bag not Sarah's I wanted her son to die he opened the door quickly and then stopped a man stood there inspector aziz he put his hand on Stephens arm it's a no old story young man he said it happens every day my first girlfriend left me for a new man I was very angry too I hated him but I didn't want to kill him come on let's go you can tell your story to the judge
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at o'clock that morning Sarah and Hassan were free Sarah stood with her mother inspector aziz and mr cheng she smiled happily mother you're wonderful now I can be happy but how did you know about Stephen inspector aziz answered young woman he said remember your mother is a doctor she knew Stephen was ill because of his eyes and his body his eyes are very big and dark and his body is always moving well yes Anna said but you helped me Sarah you said he was different remember and I looked at him carefully and began to think heroin does that to people he did a very bad thing Sarah said slowly but I feel sorry for him now when is he going to court inspector I don't know the inspector said in two weeks perhaps but don't think about him would you like to see our beautiful country mrs. Harland where would you like to go Anna smiled at him thank you but I can't stay tomorrow I'm going back to England to talk to Stephens mother and father inspector aziz looked at her and said nothing for a minute then he said quietly yes I feel very sorry for them it kills a lot of young people this heroine yes but it isn't going to kill my daughter she isn't going to die now Anna took sarah's hand so thank you again inspector aziz and mr cheng and goodbye now i'm going to have a long cold drink in a quiet garden with my daughter and her new young man i want to know a lot more about him hassan stood with his mother and father near the door of the court Anna Harland put her hand on her daughter's arm and smiled at them you
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the woman in front of the prison the prison was a big dirty building in the biggest town of a hot country the woman was very hot and she did not like the noise from all the cars in the road she was an English woman and she did not like hot countries or a lot of noise she was tall about fifty years old with blue eyes and a long face her face was red and she looked tired and angry she knocked at the door of the prison for a long time nothing happened then a little window opened in the door and a man looked out at her yes what do you want I want to see my daughter it's very important name Anna Harland is that your name or your daughter's name it's my name my daughter's name is sarah harland you can't visit her today come back on Wednesday no I came from England to see her today it's very important she's going to court tomorrow please take me to her now wait a minute the little wind closed but the door did not open the woman waited in front of the door for a ☺long time a lot of people in the road looked at her one or two young men laughed but she did not move she stood there in the hot road in front of the prison door and waited after minutes the door opened come with me the man said the woman went in with him it was dark in the prison and at first she could not see very well she walked for a long time past hundreds of doors then the man opened one of them in here he said you can have ten minutes Anna Harland walked into the room and the man went in after her he closed the door behind him there was a table in the room and two chairs on one of the chairs sat her daughter Sarah she was a tall girl about nineteen years old with big blue eyes mother she said I'm very happy to see you and she got up and began to run across the room to her mother Sarah Anna said and put out her arms but the man moved quickly and stood between them no he said to Anna I'm sorry I know you're her mother you can't talk but that's all please sit down at the table I am here to watch you the mother and daughter sat down at the table Anna's hands were near Sarah's on the table she looked carefully at her daughter Sarah's dress and face were dirty she's tired and unhappy and I thought Sarah what happened she said we have minutes to talk no more tell me please quickly I want to help you Sarah looked at her mother Oh mother I'm happy you're here I wanted you to come mother I I didn't do it it isn't true please believe me of course I believe you Sarah but tell me about it what happened quickly begin at the beginning yes but I don't know when did it begin I don't know I don't understand it why did the lise arrest you when did they bring you to this prison last week I think yes last week at the airport when we arrived the police stopped us and looked in our bags then Sara looked down at the table she's crying Anna thought she's very unhappy what happened then Sara her mother asked they they said there were drugs in my bag then they took me into a room and told me to take my dress off they looked for more drugs but they found nothing then then they brought me here I see where were the drugs then where did they find them oh they didn't tell you Sara stopped crying she looked up and there was a smile on her face but it was not a happy smile the drugs were in a tube of toothpaste a toothpaste tube with drugs in it heroin not toothpaste and you didn't know about it no mother of course not do you think I clean my teeth with heroin anna harland smiled it was difficult to smile because she was afraid but she smiled because she wanted to help her daughter I know you don't clean your teeth with heroin you have very good teeth Sarah but what about Steven did he know about the heroin did he put it in the toothpaste tube Steven no why do you ask about Steven mother well is he in prison too you said us and our bags did the police arrest him too Oh No Sarah's face was unhappy no I wasn't with Steven mother you see Steven and I well we aren't friends now I left him about two months ago and then I met Hassan Hassan yes I was with Hassan at the airport Steven was on the plane too I don't know why but he wasn't with me it's Hassan he was with me Hassan important to me now not Stephen Anna looked at her daughter I see and did the police arrest this Hasan - is he in prison yes he is they arrested him but I can't see him I asked them I wanted to see him but they said no mother I'm sure Hasan didn't know about the heroin he's a good man he didn't know I'm sure then why was the heroin in your bag Sarah I don't know mother I don't know the man looked at the clock in the room I'm sorry mrs. Harland he said but that's ten minutes it's time to go Anna Harland stood up slowly all right she said but don't be afraid Sarah I'm coming to the court tomorrow yes mother Sarah said thank you the police are bringing Hassan to court tomorrow - I think you can see him there he's a good man mother and I'm sure he didn't know about the drugs perhaps Anna said she walked slowly to the door and then stood by the door and looked at her daughter again Sara you are telling me the truth aren't you Sara began to cry again Yes Mother of course I am I always tell you the truth you know that Anna smiled yes Sara she said quietly yes I believe you she went through the door and the man went out after her Sara sat quietly at the table in the room and looked at her hands yes she thought I told you the truth mother I always tell you the truth but I didn't tell you everything she put her head in her hands
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Anna Harland left the prison and went to talk to the police she waited a long time in a small office but after an hour a policeman came into the room he was a big man about years old with brown eyes and a nice smile he moved very slowly and quietly good afternoon mrs. Harland he said my name is detective Inspector Aziz I arrested your daughter three days ago I am very sorry for you this is a very unhappy thing for a mother it's a very unhappy thing for my daughter inspector Anna said angrily because she didn't do it she's innocent you know she knows nothing about those drugs Detective Inspector Aziz looked at her carefully for a minute he did not know many English women she has an interesting face he thought very blue eyes and a long nose she is not afraid of me and she is not crying perhaps she wants to know the truth perhaps she can help me too well mrs. Harland he said slowly it's difficult for me is your daughter telling the truth is she innocent because the drugs were in her bag you know I know Anna said but she was with a young man Hasan she doesn't know him very well I think tell me about him please I want to know inspector aziz smiled alright he said but first tell me about your daughter why was she on that plane why did she come to this country tell me Anna Harland looked at him he's a nice man she thought he listens to people perhaps he wants to help perhaps he can understand Sarah do you have daughters she asked yes the inspector answered too then you can understand Anna said Sarah is she finished school last year and she worked for six months in a hospital to get some money then she and her boyfriend Steven visited a lot of countries they went to Greece Turkey India Australia and now they're here they're young and they want to see new countries and new towns and new people that's all I see the inspector said but sometimes young people do things bad things because they are in a different country and they need money not Sarah Anna said and not heroin Sarah worked in a hospital and she knows about heroin she knows it can kill people I'm a doctor and she wants to be a doctor too I see the inspector said again he looked at her and thought but he said nothing now Anna said tell me about this young man Hasan all right the inspector said he took some papers from the table and began to read to her but we don't know very much about him he's a rich boy from a good family his father has two or three shops I think and the police in his town know him too last year his father gave him a new car a very fast car and listened to this one day he hit a police car and the police car went into the river what a story his father bought a new car for the police his father has a lot of money the inspector smiled but Anna looked unhappy oh dear she said that's not very good no he said it isn't good but this story about the heroine is worse much worse I don't like this story
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three next morning Anna Harland went to the court she was first there she sat in the courtroom and waited a lot of people came in and she saw a man and his wife perhaps they're Hassan's father and mother Anna thought but she did not want to talk to them the lawyers came in next with a lot of papers they sat at a table in front of her and talked quietly those two lawyers Anna thought they're old friends but one of them wants my daughter to die and one wants her to be free after the lawyers the jury came in people men and women they sat down and watched the lawyers they looked at Anna and then talked quietly about her these people don't look very important she thought but they are the most important people here they're going to say she did it or she didn't do it and then Sarah comes home to me or she dies she watch their faces carefully then some policemen came in inspector aziz saw anna and smiled at her but anna did not talk to him because sara came in at the same time she looked afraid and her face was very white she looked across the courtroom saw her mother and gave her an unhappy smile there were two policemen behind Sarah but Anna did not look at them she looked at the tall dark young man next to Sarah Hasan he's about years old Anna thought he's very tall but he has a nice face and very beautiful dark eyes Sarah likes him and I can understand that but he looks very unhappy too and afraid his hands are moving all the time Hasan looked at Sarah and smiled she smiled back at him Anna wanted to talk to Sarah but just then a policeman said loudly all stand please everybody stood up and the John came into the courtroom he went to his chair and sat down the police lawyer began these two young people came into our country last week he said the young man lives in this country and the young woman is English at the airport the police looked in their bags and they found three tubes of toothpaste these tubes of toothpaste he had the three tubes in his hand and he looked at them everybody could see them but are they tubes of toothpaste he asked no men and women of the jury they are not Oh No there is no toothpaste in these tubes there is heroin in them yes heroin a bad dirty drug perhaps the worst drug people die from this drug the white death they call it the lawyer stopped and looked at the jury he waited for a minute or two the courtroom was very quiet then he began again but why you asked me why did these two young people have this heroin in their bags I can't tell you because heroin is one of the most expensive drugs to they can sell these tubes of heroin in our country for perhaps , pounds , pounds easy money and men and women of the jury many people in our country young people school children to take this drug at first it's exciting and they feel happy but then they need more and more heroin and they need more money to buy the drug they leave their homes and families they take more heroin and more they can't stop soon the drug begins to kill them and in the end they die the white death it's not quick death and it's not an easy death yes men and women of the jury many young people and children your children and my children remember died because of this drug the lawyer stopped again the jury watched him and waited he's very good Anna thought very very good he's telling the jury an exciting story and they liked him but it isn't good for Sarah the lawyer walked across the courtroom and stood in front of the jury but my friends he said to the jury we have a law in this country and the law is not difficult to understand when people bring heroin into this country they bring death too we need to stop these people and how can we do that the answer is easy the law for these people is death the lawyer walked back to his table now please look at these two young people here in this court he said to the jury they brought heroin into this country the airport police are going to tell you about it please listen carefully it's not a long story and remember the law is death the police lawyer sat down and an airport policeman went to the front of the courtroom Anna felt ill she looked at Sara Sara was white-faced and very afraid Anna closed her eyes Sara she thought Oh Sara the police lawyer stood up again please tell the court about Sara Holland and her son he said to the airport policeman yes sir said the policeman I found two tubes of toothpaste in the girl's bag and one tube in the young man's bag all three tubes had heroin in them thank you the police lawyer sat down and mr. Ching Sara's and Hassan's lawyer stood up what did Sara Holland say when you found the heroin he asked nothing sir she began to cry I see was she afraid the policeman thought for a minute I don't know sir but she was yes and she said nothing are you sure the policeman thought again well yes sir I think perhaps she said this isn't my toothpaste this is all wrong I see and what about the young man Hasan What did he say well sir he was very angry he said it's not heroin that's not true you put it there I see thank you now tell me why did you look in these two young people's bags you don't usually look in everyone's bags there isn't time the policeman thought again well no sir we don't I I'm afraid I can't tell you sir what did you say mr. Cheng asked very angrily of course you can tell me this is a court of law he looked at the judge this is a very important question we need an answer the judge looked at the airport policeman I am sorry he said please answer the question the court needs to know the answer yes sir well you see there was a telephone call someone telephoned me before the plane arrived the telephone caller said there's some heroin on the plane a young man and a young woman are carrying it I see mr. Chen said he smiled that's very interesting and who made this telephone call I don't know the policeman said it was a man and he talked in English I don't know his name suddenly Anna heard a noise she looked behind her at the door of the courtroom a tall young man came into the back of the room Anna knew him at once it was Stephen Sarah's old boyfriend a policeman took him to a chair near Anna he saw Anna and for a second he looked afraid but then he smiled and sat down next to her mrs. Harland he said quietly it's good to see you when did you arrive yesterday she said why are you late I couldn't find the court he answered he looked very unhappy tell me how to help he said I want to help Sara but what can I do I was on the plane too but I couldn't help her I don't want her to die stay with me young man Anna said quietly we can help her I'm sure we can later that morning Sara went to the front of the courtroom her face was very white and her eyes were red with crying her lawyer mr. Cheng began to ask her questions now Miss harland why did you come to this country he asked quietly and smiled at her because I like going to different countries I want to meet new people and why were you with this young man because Sara stopped and looked down at her feet nobody could see her face she began again very quietly but nobody could hear her I'm sorry we can't hear you can you say that again please Sara looked up she looked quickly at her mother and then at her son because I love him Anna felt old and tired she looked the tall young man with the beautiful dark eyes it was his heroine she thought I'm sure it was he buys and sells heroine and he put it in my daughter's bag and now she says she loves him Steven sat next to her he did not move and he watched Sara all the time but she did not look at him mr. Cheng waited a minute and then he questioned Sara again did you know about the heroin in those tubes of toothpaste he asked no Sara said quickly of course I didn't and what about Hassan did he know about the heroin please think about your answer no I'm sure he didn't know it wasn't our heroine Sara's blue eyes were angry we didn't put the heroin in the toothpaste tubes we are innocent thank you Miss Harland mr. Chang said quietly and sat down the police lawyer stood up miss Harland how much money did you have in your bag um about fifty pounds I think that's not very much this is an expensive country you know how much can you buy with your fifty pounds sir did not have an answer um I don't know she began I usually live very cheaply did you need more money the lawyers questions came quickly now of course you needed more money you wanted to sell that heroin you wanted to be rich is that right no no that's not true the lawyer said nothing for a minute he looked at the jury and smiled then he said do you think toothpaste is very expensive in this country miss Holland uh no I don't think oh I don't know well I can tell you it isn't toothpaste is cheap here so why did you bring three tubes of toothpaste with you how often do you clean your teeth miss Holland six times a day or seven or eight times a day perhaps Sarah looked very unhappy no I don't know Hassan yes the lawyer said quickly Hassan are you going to say Hassan gave it to me you love this young man but you don't want to die nobody wants to die and now you're going to say it was Hassan's toothpaste is that your answer miss Holland no Sarah said angrily of course not it was i toothpaste but thank you miss Harlan the police lawyer sat down I have no more questions
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four at one o'clock the judge left the court for an hour Anna Harlan talked to Sara for ten minutes Sara cried at first I don't like that police lawyer she said those questions were very difficult I couldn't answer them it doesn't matter her mother said your lawyer mr. Cheng is very good and Steven is here too now we're all going to help you Sara was angry don't talk to me about Steven she said I don't like him I don't want to see him here but Sara he was your boyfriend for two years he wants to help you Sara began to cry again perhaps he does want to help me I don't know but he's different now mother you don't understand his eyes are different there I don't know and he can't sit quietly and talk to people now his body is moving all the time he came to see me in our hotel the night before we came to this country and I didn't like him mother why is he here he doesn't lie me now and I don't love him Anna listened carefully to her daughter and then she went to see mr. Cheng and inspector aziz Steven went with her who made that phone call to the police at the airport she asked we need to know that yes mr. Cheng said that's very important can the police tell us perhaps the inspector said but it's very difficult it was not a long telephone call and the man didn't give his name perhaps he was a policeman and he knew about the heroine perhaps mr. Cheng said but then perhaps he put the heroine there and he wanted the police to find it perhaps someone doesn't like your daughter mrs. Harland I don't know Anna said slowly but perhaps but then the judge came back into the courtroom and everybody stopped talking the judge then called Hassan Hassan stood up and went to the front of the courtroom he's a rich boy and a thought that shirt and those shoes are very expensive hassan stood there tall and very quiet he waited for the questions he did not look of rade but when mr. Chang looked at his papers and asked the first question Hassan closed his eyes did you know about the heroin in those tubes of toothpaste no sir did Sarah know no sir who bought the toothpaste Hassan closed his eyes again for two or three seconds then he answered I did sir you did you're sure of that yes sir I'm sure I clean my teeth a lot you see Hassan's smiled for a moment well he does have very white teeth Anna thought Sarah Hassan began then he stopped yes again Hassan closed his eyes and waited for a second then he looked at the jury and said very loudly Sarah did not buy the toothpaste I bought it I bought all three tubes of toothpaste it was my toothpaste analyst up in her chair and looked carefully at a son that's interesting she thought perhaps he does love Sarah I see mr. Cheng said and when did you first meet sarah harland about two months ago I was in Australia we were in the same hotel she had a difficult time with her boyfriend and I helped her Anna looked at Stephen he was very angry and he hit the chair in front of him with his hand I see mr. Cheng said again then he asked his next question do you usually carry a lot of money how much money did you have at the airport about pounds I think that's okay when I need more money I get some work for a week or two we don't need much money and do you sometimes take heroin no sir never thank you stay there please mr. Cheng sat down and the police lawyer stood up he smiled at Hassan but it was not a nice smile now Hassan you bought the toothpaste but it was in miss Holland's bag why why did she carry it for you or do you always ask your women to carry things for you he smiled Hasan said nothing the lawyer began again you had pounds you say but , pounds is better than pounds I think what do you think of course it is but I don't sell heroin it's wrong to sell heroin the lawyer moved his papers on the table he looked at the jury so you are a very good young man with very clean teeth but no money you met a young English girl she was unhappy with her boyfriend so you helped her and took her away with you is that right oh dear it's not a very good story you know I don't believe it and I don't think the jury believes it young man he stopped for a minute then he looked at Hassan and said loudly you don't love sarah harland and she doesn't love you you went with her because she could help you and she went with you because she wanted the money she carried the heroin for you to sell that's right isn't it you put the heroin in the toothpaste tubes and she knew about it is that the true story young man I think it is No i hasan began angrily but the lawyer did not listen he sat down I have no more questions he said to the judge
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the judge looked at his papers and then at the jury it is now four o'clock in the afternoon he said we can begin again in the morning please be here at ten o'clock the judge stood up and left the courtroom the jury left to and the police took Sara and Hassan back to the prison Anna looked at Stephen well young man she said what can we do now we have sixteen hours before tomorrow morning I don't know Stephen said he looked at her for a minute then he looked away over her head at the front of the court I'm sure Hassan knew about the heroin he said he put it in her bag I'm sure he did Sarah is innocent but he isn't mr. Cheng came and stood with them she's innocent Stephen said again but Hassan's going to die mr. Cheng looked at Stephen carefully perhaps he said slowly but did you listen to Hassan in court he said Sarah did not buy the toothpaste it was my toothpaste now why did he say that it was not an easy thing to say you know the jury going to think about it it doesn't matter Stephen said angrily because it wasn't toothpaste and he didn't buy it in a shop he made those tubes because he wanted to sell the heroin and he's going to die that's the law in this country Anna looked at Stephen and said nothing he's very angry she thought his face is red and he's talking very quickly does he want to kill her son and what's the matter with his eyes mr. Cheng watched Stephen - but who made that telephone call it's important and I want to know he said I'm going to ask the police now would you like to come with me mrs. Harland yes of course Anna said Stephen are you coming yes ah no no Stephen said I'm going to meet a man I think he can help us all right Anna said but when can I meet you I need to talk to you about Hassan can I come too or hotel tonight uh no not tonight Stephen said quickly his face was now white and he looked tired and ill his hands and body moved all the time come to my hotel tomorrow morning bye he walked quickly out of the courtroom Anna and mr. Cheng watched him inspector aziz was near the door and he watched even too
Chapter six
Anna and mr. Chang talked to the police but the police could tell them nothing more about the telephone call to the airport inspector aziz telephone two or three people and then he talked to Anna again when Anna left inspector aziz she was much happier then she went to the prison to see Sarah the man took her to Sarah's room Anna and Sarah sat at the table and the man stood and watched it was a bad day mother I'm sorry Sarah said slowly her eyes were not red now but she looked very tired her hands were near her mother's on the table it wasn't a very good day that's true Anna said but you have a very good lawyer you know the jury likes him but it doesn't help Sarah said there was heroin in the toothpaste tubes and the tubes were in my bag what can mr. Cheng do the heroin was in my bad mother the jury knows that Anna looked at her daughter carefully perhaps Hasaan put it there Sara she said you like him I know and he looks nice but mother I love him I said that in court you heard me and Hasan loves me too and he does not buy or sell heroin I Sara stop talking and put her hands on her stomach what's the matter Anna asked she looked at the man quickly she's ill get a doctor the man ran from the room and Anna put her arms round her daughter she waited and then Sarah sat up it's all right mother she said her face was very white but she looked a little better it happens sometimes I often feel ill and I don't like to eat much but it's not very bad I think I'm going to stay alive because of it she gave her mother a smile what what are you saying what are you talking about Anna cried my baby Sarah's face looked different now half smiling half afraid mother don't be angry please I'm going to have a baby it's a man's baby I we wanted to come to England and tell you about it there but now we can't I love him and he wants to be my husband mother mother please don't be angry Anna's face was white now for nearly a minute she could say nothing she wanted to cry but she didn't at last she said Oh Sarah what's going to happen to this baby Sarah looked at her hands nothing mother I asked mr. Cheng about that they can't kill me you see because I'm going to have a baby they can't kill a mother and her baby that's the law but that doesn't help her son Anna heard a noise and looked at the door listen Sarah she said quickly before the doctor comes I'm not angry and I do love you Sarah of course but listen I talked to inspector aziz again today i think he can help you and hassan too so don't be afraid please and the door opened and the man came in with a woman doctor anna stood up she took errors hand I'm going now Sarah but don't be afraid you're going to be alright I'm sure of it
Chapter seven
next morning at half past four Anna Harland stood in a quiet road in front of a hotel she waited and then she heard a car behind the hotel the car doors opened and closed she waited quietly and then looked down the road a man walked into the road and stood next to a shop he did not look at Anna but Anna looked at him and smiled then she walked into the hotel she went upstairs and knocked on the door of a bedroom a man answered who is it it's me Steven she said Anna Harland open the door please I want to talk to you the door opened and Steven looked out slowly Anna what are you doing here at this time it's Anna walked quickly into the room yes it's half past four Sarah is in court again at ten o'clock I need your help young man please get up but what can I do Anna looked at him you went to see a man last night what happened can he help Sarah Stephen answered slowly he did not look at Anna no I'm sorry he can't Anna was cold and angry I see she said well can you and I help her then tell me Steven what do you know about Hassan Hassan Steven said angrily well we met him in Australia and Sarah went away with him she doesn't understand him but I do he's a rich young man with a beautiful body he likes playing with girls but he doesn't love her and do you love her Steven Steven did not answer at once for two or three seconds Anna waited he doesn't know she thought he can't answer the question yes mrs. Harland of course I love her but he's not looking at me Anna thought he's looking out of the window he's not thinking about Sarah Steven Anna asked quietly did you go to see sarah and hassan in Australia the night before they came to this country Stephen looked up at her uh yes I went to their hotel he said I asked Sarah to leave Hassan and come back to me but how did you know that Sarah told me of course was her son there no he Steven stopped then he said why do you ask Anna Oh her handbag look at this she said what is it do you know he looked at it and then that Ana a tube of toothpaste why that's right a policeman gave it to me and he took it from a man you met that man last night Stephen you gave him ten tubes of toothpaste what was in those tubes of toothpaste Stephen Stephen said nothing he looked at the toothpaste and stood up but Ana was between him and the door she gave the toothpaste to him would you like to clean your teeth Stephen he began to move to the door but Ana took his arm you don't love Sarah do you Stephen you hate her because she left you you put three of these tubes in Sarah's bag and then you phoned the police you told them about the tubes in my daughter's bag you want Sarah to die no Stephen said no no not Sarah Hassan I put them in Hassan's bag not Sarah's I wanted her son to die he opened the door quickly and then stopped a man stood there inspector aziz he put his hand on Stephens arm it's a no old story young man he said it happens every day my first girlfriend left me for a new man I was very angry too I hated him but I didn't want to kill him come on let's go you can tell your story to the judge
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at o'clock that morning Sarah and Hassan were free Sarah stood with her mother inspector aziz and mr cheng she smiled happily mother you're wonderful now I can be happy but how did you know about Stephen inspector aziz answered young woman he said remember your mother is a doctor she knew Stephen was ill because of his eyes and his body his eyes are very big and dark and his body is always moving well yes Anna said but you helped me Sarah you said he was different remember and I looked at him carefully and began to think heroin does that to people he did a very bad thing Sarah said slowly but I feel sorry for him now when is he going to court inspector I don't know the inspector said in two weeks perhaps but don't think about him would you like to see our beautiful country mrs. Harland where would you like to go Anna smiled at him thank you but I can't stay tomorrow I'm going back to England to talk to Stephens mother and father inspector aziz looked at her and said nothing for a minute then he said quietly yes I feel very sorry for them it kills a lot of young people this heroine yes but it isn't going to kill my daughter she isn't going to die now Anna took sarah's hand so thank you again inspector aziz and mr cheng and goodbye now i'm going to have a long cold drink in a quiet garden with my daughter and her new young man i want to know a lot more about him hassan stood with his mother and father near the door of the court Anna Harland put her hand on her daughter's arm and smiled at them you
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